Clarence l



(No Model.) 7

O. L. WELLS.

THERMOSTAT FOR INGUBATORS. No. 363,307. Patented May 17, 1887.

INVENTOR 45 .Q. ymeu BY Z ATTORNEYS.

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WITNESSES NITE STATES PATENT truce.

CLARENCE L. IVELLS, OF QUINCY, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF, ONE-HALF TO RAPHAEL E. LETTON, OF SAME PLACE.

THERMOSTAT FOR INCUBATORS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 363,307, dated May 17,

Application filed May 11, 1886.

Serial No. 101,873. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CLARENCE L. WELLs, of Quincy, in the county of Adams and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Thermostats, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is an improved thermostat intended especially for use in incubators; and it consists iii certain features of construction and novel combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is asectional view of an incubator with my invention applied. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of the drum and the lever attached thereto; and Figs. 3, 4, and 5 illustrate different uses of the invention.

I do not in this applicatiori claim the incubator shown, for the reason that the same forms the subject of a separate patent, No. 351,729, dated October 26, 1886.

While for purposes of illustration I have shown the thermostat in connection with an incubator, I do not limit it to such use, as it will be understood that it is capable of being used in other connections, as may be desired.

The device A, adapted for expansion and contraction under thermal variations, and which, for convenience of reference, I will denominate the expanding? device, is in the present instance a hollow box or case of rectangular form, as is preferred. This device or box A is in use arranged so the heat, which may be derived from alamp, as shown, or

other suitable apparatus, will act against its under plate, 1, which plate is by preference given rigidity by brace-battens 2, thereby causing the variations in volume or pressure of the contents of said drum to act with the greatest effect on the upper plate, 3. A

Above the device or box I extend a lever, B, pivotally supported at one end and having between its ends a projection, b, which bears against the top of the device or box, and serves to transmit to the lever the motions of the device or box resulting from the expansion and contraction of the contents thereof. The lever is shown as pivoted to brackets 4, preferably mounted on the expanding device; but, manifestly,the pivot might be arranged in the incubator or other framing, if so desired. It is also preferred to form the projection b a set screw threaded through the lever, so that the relation of the same with the expanding de vice may be varied,in order that the heat may be maintained at diiierent degrees or the regulation may be effected between different degrees, as will be understood. The end of the lever opposite the pivot thereof is connected with thehcating devices. This connection is effected in the construction shown by a rod, G, lever D, and a rod or wire, E, the latter being connected with a tube, 0, movable over the wick-tube of a lamp; but, manifestly, the heat-regulating devices and the connections therewith may be effected in various ways; but the construction as shown is preferred.

The lever D is pivotally supported at about d, and to limit its upward movement, to prevent the lamp being extinguishcd or for other desired purpose, I provide a stop, F, which may be a set-screw passed through a bearing, f, so the point of stoppage may be varied. While the rod or connection 0 might bejoined directly with the tube 6 or other heat-regulating device,it is preferred to use the leve1' D,because thereby a slight movement of the lever B may be caused to give a considerable move ment of the heat-regulating devices. It is also preferred to provide said leverD with a weight, 5, to assist the lever B in moving the lever D. The operation will be readily understood. Manifestly air, steam, gas, or water or other liquid may be contained within the device or box. In order that the regulating devices may not operate while the apparatus is heating up or cooling off,I form the device or box with an aperture, 6, and provide a Valve, G, for closing said opening 6. This valve G is pivoted between its ends, and is preferably actuated by a spring, 7, in such manner as to hold it normally closed, and yet permit it to yield under undue pressure, and so operate as a safetyvalve. To hold the valve open in heating up and cooling off the apparatus,I provide apivoted button, g, which may be turned toengage and hold the valve open when so desired. This button may be mounted on the incubator-framing, as shown, or on the device or box,if so desired.

In Fig.3 I have shown a device or box formed with both its upper and. lower plates elastic,

,the action of such parts beingindicated in dotted lines. In such Fig. 3 the expanding device is shown in connection with a valve or blind of a casement-Window, so the admission 5 of air to a railroadcar, a church, or other building may be regulated. In such Fig. 3 a central support, 8, is provided to receive the reacting pressure of the lower plate, and such support is perforated to permit the free passage of heat to the device or box. Springs 7 ,may also be used to return the lever B, in the construction shown in Fig. 3, to its normal position, and yet permit it to yield under the action of the drum.

In Fig. 4 the thermostat is shown in connection with the damper or valve'of a heating pipe or drum, and the operation of such construction will be understood from said figure.

Fig. 5 shows a double-acting device or boxthat is, one with two elastic plates and also of curved or circular form. This form may be preferred, because thereby a freer, and more even expansion may be obtained.

Having thus described my invention, what 2 5 I claim as new is 1. The combination of the expanding device or box having a vent, a valve arranged to normally close such vent, and a butt-on, 9, whereby to secure such valve in open position, substantially as described,and for the purposes specified. 2. In a thermostat, an expanding device or box having a plate, 1, provided with bracecleats 2, and a plate, 3, adapted to be operated by the expansion and contraction of the contents of the expanding device or box, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of the expanding device or box. A, having aperture 6, the valve arranged to close said opening, means for hold- 40 ing said valve open, the lever B, having adjustable stop I), the lever D, the connection 0,

.and the adj nstable stop F, substantially as set GEORGE A. EARHUFF,

FRED A. ENGSTROM. 

